Ex-PDP Chairman, three others killed in fresh Benue attacks

A former ward chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), James Akase, and three other individuals have been killed in separate attacks by armed assailants in Gwer West and Guma Local Government Areas of Benue State.

The deadly incidents, which occurred on Monday, also left several others injured, according to eyewitnesses.

Locals described the attacks as coordinated strikes on rural communities, with victims targeted in their respective villages.

In Gwer West, Akase, a native of Tse-Defam in the Mba’akov Vengav area of Avihijime Council Ward, was reportedly killed while attempting to retrieve food from his abandoned home for his displaced family. The area had earlier been overrun by armed invaders, forcing residents to flee.

Confirming the killing, Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormin, stated that another resident was abducted the same day but was later released after a ransom was paid by family members.

In a separate incident in Guma LGA, three individuals were killed in two separate villages. The victims were identified as Bartholomew Ikornya, who was shot dead in Tse Ikpe Ago along the Yogbo-Gyungu Aze road in Mbayer/Yandev Council Ward; and Gabriel Korlaga and one Kunde, both murdered in Tse Kologa, Mbagune, under Nyiev Council Ward.

The attacks have triggered fear and fresh displacement in the affected communities. Injured survivors are currently receiving treatment in various health facilities.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, did not respond to calls as of the time of filing this report.